Towns as resource hubs
Isobel Vernon-Avery
How can Towns address the emissions associated with the materials that flow into, are consumed, and leave them again as waste? Addressing this is challenging because Towns currently have limited data and influence on these flows. As Towns refine projects and start developing their Business Cases, circular economy provides useful tools and inspiration to achieve the net zero targets set out in the Government’s Green Book. This blog argues a digitally enabled circular economy can help Towns address this challenge.
The circular economy can reduce waste as Towns develop:
Insight into the current linear system and waste from how we demolish, build, use space and impact natural systems
As Towns build, change, operate legacy assets, and transform, circular economy principles are essential to promote sustainability and resilience by addressing material flows. As Towns undertake their capital projects, reducing material waste and creating/maintaining materials loops will support efficient use and improved management of resources. Viewing Towns as resource hubs (systems, stocks, and stores) can facilitate reduced waste from demolition and construction, while also enabling efficient use of resources within Towns. Viewing a Town as a resource hub can offer up materials that can be used in the creation of a new asset – one building's waste can become another’s raw material.
A circular economy is an economy that is based on three core principles:
The three main principles of the circular economy as defined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Out-competing the linear economy demands new tools, most often provided by digital technology. The transition from a linear to a circular economy will require system-approaches to the design, operation, and maintenance of assets.
Technologies' contributions to the circular economy include a range of strategies and business processes: from recycling to reuse, designing new business models to managing maintenance. For instance, big data can facilitate waste-to-resource matching through real-time analysis of flows and promote the sharing economy. The Internet of Things can enable location tracking and monitoring, and facilitate the uptake of material passports. Localized re-manufacturing through digital fabrication and 3D printing is also gaining traction.
Cities, particularly in Europe, are increasingly adopting circular economy strategies. In the UK, Peterborough has committed to becoming circular by 2050. They have developed a three-pillar measurement system to track progress. Activities to date include the Circular Peterborough Commitment and a Plan and Performance Circular City Roadmap.
For Towns, the value of applying circular economy principles as they develop their Business Cases, and progress their projects could include:
Resilient communities through new technologies and solutions
Economic value and employment created through new markets facilitated by the circular economy. This will need to be supported by new skills, there are several Government schemes being launched to support a Green Economy.
Town environmental impact reduced through a synchronized plan for material use between projects, rather than individual developments
Local industries to support and share materials as required to reduce costs and enhance local supply resilience
If you wish to find out more about how your town can leverage the circular economy, you can request a one to one session with our Innovation & Digital experts through our Expert Drop-in Hour service.
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